Skinner’s Notes: “The Stream of Consciousness”

Picture this: it is the fall of 1958, Skinner is relaxing on Sunday morning and decides to write down things that “come to mind”. And then he sorts them: “unavoidable routine”, “no pressure”, “termination in sight”, “long term”.

Skinner wrote all his notes in long hand, and then he had most of them typed by his secretary. Skinner then edited the typed copies, correcting proper names or other mistakes. That provides us with eligible and edited copy, so there is little need for transcription and accuracy checks. The Foundation plans to scan them and put them online. In the meantime, have a look at the “Stream of Consciousness”.

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What we do:

The B. F. Skinner Foundation began as a publisher of behavioral books, mostly those written by Skinner. Recently we have begun to convert Skinner Books into eBook format that can be read on cell phones, tablets, Nooks, Kindles, and, of course, on computer screens. The Foundation is also exploring support for reprinting Skinner’s three volume autobiography with additional photos, notes, and (in an electronic version) video or audio clips.

As the population ages, many archival materials run the risk of being inadvertently discarded. Those in personal possessions may degrade from lack of proper storage. The Foundation is a recipient of many historical materials. We have a good relationship with the Harvard University Film Archives. Harvard stores the originals of films, videotapes, and other “moving footage” formats in the proper temperature and humidity. Professionals and students can access the footage, and the Foundation can “borrow” the originals to make professional quality Digi-beta copies when requested by television producers. An mp4 copy of each item is available at the Foundation office. A comprehensive data-base is under construction to help locate specific topics discussed and shown.

Each quarter, the Foundation sends its magazine, Operants, to subscribers. This publication provides information on current work, interviews of professionals in the United States and worldwide, analyses of important articles and topics. It is written in an informal journalistic style to be as interesting, as possible. There is no cost to receive Operants.